Page 189 of Dare To Break

“Enough!” I snap.

She twists, attempting to free herself. “No. It won’t be enough until you’re bloody. Until you’re bleeding the same way you’ve made me bleed.”

“And how have I made you bleed, Princess?”

She tips her head back, blue eyes burning with fury. “You mocked me. You made me feel small, useless. You stole my diary and read it out to the entire class! You left a dead animal in my locker.”

She renews her struggle, and I tighten my grip on her wrist.

“I did do most of those things, but I—”

“Don’t lie to me!”

I’m getting sick of not being able to finish a sentence.

“What reason do I have to lie? There’s no one here except you and me. Yes, I did take your diary. I took both of them. I read them. I used them. I did target you and threaten you. But I never, not fucking once, killed an animal.”

“Then maybe it was already dead.”

I release her wrist and grab her shoulders to shake her. “The animal in your locker wasn’t me.”

“You’re a liar.”

“So are you!” I snap the words out and regret them almost immediately when her gaze sharpens.

“What does that mean? I haven’t lied.”

“Haven’t you, Princess? I think you tell a lot of lies … most of them to yourself.”

She spins away, out of my grasp. “Not everyone is like you, Eli. And stop calling me Princess!”

“No?” I step up behind her. “Are you sure about that, Arabella? Tell me …” I dip my head and press my lips to her ear. “Did you offer to suck Jace’s dick in return for a ride home? Or was just flashing your tits payment enough for him?”

I know that wasn’t what happened. Jace sang like a canary once I broke a rib or two, but her anger is stoking mine and I’m not about to let her claw at me without retaliating.

“Maybe that’s where I made a mistake. Would you have sucked my dick in return for a ride to school, Princess?”

This time when she spins and launches herself at me, I’m ready. My fingers curl around her arms and I lift her off her feet, turn, and shove her against the door.

“What’s wrong? Did I strike a nerve?” I taunt her.

Her hands slam against my chest, and she throws her head back, eyes spitting fire at me. I smirk.

“I fucking hate you.” She spits out the words, and they’re loaded with disgust and anger.

“That’s absolutely fine,” I snap. “I fucking hate me, too.”

We glare at each other. I have no idea which one of us makes the first move, but a second later, our mouths collide. Her fingers curl into my t-shirt and haul me closer until her body is pressed tight against mine.

“I hate you.” Her teeth sink into my bottom lip and I grunt. “I hate that you make me want you.” Her hands release my shirt and slide down my chest, until she can take hold of the hem and drag it up.

I don’t stop her, parting our lips long enough to yank the shirt over my head and toss it to one side.

“I hate that you kiss so good.”

I grip her chin between my thumb and forefingers.

“Stop fucking talking,” I demand, and seal my mouth to hers again.

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